For years, City have suffered silly taunts about the 'Emptihad' and the heckling that greeted the stadium's expansion announcement was as inevitable as a Sergio Aguero derby goal.

Some City fans haven't helped themselves. King of the Kippax editor Dave Wallace blamed the 27,276 crowd on one rain-sodden Manchester day for Notts County's visit on the number of churchgoers in City's support. 'It's only Notts County' would have sufficed.

City fans celebrate the 1-0 win over United in 2012

Since their breakthrough FA Cup triumph, the Blues have lifted more trophies than United, won four consecutive derbies and finished above the Reds two years running.

The Etihad's growth is a calculated risk but City are understandably confident. Season ticket prices in some sections have risen though there will also be more low cost tickets and the stadium will, eventually, be bigger than Arsenal's Emirates.

City will host Chelsea in their first home game of 2015-16

Chelsea's arrival could lay down a marker. Staged on a Sunday in the school holidays, an early fixture between English football's two best teams is a welcome appetiser and City supporters should be eager to the volume up to 11.